John H. Whitmire joined the C.S.A. 10 March 1862 and with neighbor boys traveled from Jackson County, GA, to a place of redezvous at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He formally enlisted as a private in Company G, 43rd Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Confederate States Army, on 10 May 1862 at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was taken prisoner on 16 May 1863 in a skirmish at Bakers Creek, at Champion Hill, Vicksburg, Mississipi. On that day in Vicksburg, 380 were killed, 1018 wounded, and 2453 missing. He was taken to Fort Delaware, Delaware, and placed on a prison ship. Union Prisoner of war records show that he died 30 July 1863 and was buried at Finn's Point National Cemetary near Salem, New Jersey.